Hyophorbe Verschaffeltii

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Hyophorbe verschaffeltii, the Spindle Palm, is native to the Mascarene Island of Rodriguez. This Palm does well in tropical areas as well as sub-tropical areas and grows to 14-16 feet tall. A unique, different and popular palm that should be part of any collection. Easily grown in containers and make an excellent specimen to show off.Wonderfully unique Palms that look like similar to their cousin the Bottle Palm but trunk is not as swollen. The base is colored cement gray and is swollen and narrows towards the crown. It grows in the shape of a spindle, hence the name. The crown consists of 6-10 pinnate leaves which arch outward forming a 'V' shape. The leaves are 9-10 feet long and have 100 to 150 leaflets that are bright green above and gray below. The fragrant flowers emerge ivory to orange in color. Flower stalk coming from just below the crownshaft, 2.5 feet long. There are separate male and female flowers on the same inflorescence. The fruits are 3/4 inch long and orange to red in color.

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Hardiness zones 10-11, (1°C/35°F, 4°C/40°F) in Winter. Give it full sun and a good draining soil. Not fussy about soil. Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings. Slow growing but fairly easy, providing you don't get too cold. Spindle palm can tolerate cool temperatures in subtropical areas for short periods. Germination Soak the seeds for 48 hours in hot water. Sow at 1 inch deep in a sand/loam mixture. You can use the bottom heat technic. Keep warm and in bright light. Seeds germinate in 2-6 months, it can be more, don't give up. Bottom heat If your home is on the low side of 70ºF, your seeds will benefit from bottom heat. Give warmth from underneath to stimulate early growth, and to help seeds to germinate. The ideal situation is to maintain the soil temperature at 70ºF. For this, you use an electric soil warming cable kit, or a heating mat that goes under your flats; or any other source of heat. With the proper temperature, you will cut by 2 or 3 the germination time.